Hungary is taking part in the world's largest Food and Agriculture Fair, the International Green Week held in Berlin, for the fortieth time this year; the Hungarian Pavilion was jointly opened on Friday by Hungarian Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas, German Minister of Agriculture Ilse Aigner, and the Mayor of Berlin.

Minister for Consumer Safety and Agricultuure Ilse Aigner and the Mayor of the German capital Klaus Wowereit congratulates Sándor Fazekas on the occasion of the anniversary, and clinked glasses in the Hungarian Pavilion with a glass of plum pálinka. "Germany is Hungary's most important economic partner, including the agricultural sector, and so it is extremely important that Hungary be present at the Berlin Fair", the Hungarian Minister told reporters after the opening ceremony.

He added: Green Week, which boasts an 85-year history, is the most prestigious agriculture fair in Europe and the World, to which exhibitors also arrived with numerous premium products this year. Based on the selection displayed by the 16 companies exhibiting their products in the almost 200 square metre Hungarian Pavilion, it is safe to say that "Hungarian agriculture is more than able to stand its ground against the competition", he stressed. The event is also a perfect opportunity for forging contacts, and so at the Berlin event the Hungarian Minister for Rural Development met with several of his colleagues from among others Brazil, Switzerland, China and Russia, as well as with José Graziano Da Silva, the recently appointed new Director General of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The Minister will also be taking part in the so-called Berlin Summit of Agriculture Ministers, the main topic of which is food safety. A total of 1600 exhibitors from 60 countries are currently exhibiting their products at the Green Week, which will close on January 29. The Fair is expected to attract around 400 thousand visitors.

(MTI, Ministry of Rural Development)